We all feel stressed and afraid sometimes, but clinical anxiety is a mood disorder in which irrational fear interferes with people’s daily lives or prevents them from living to the fullest.

Anxiety can take many forms. Some people fear social situations or the judgment of others. Another may have a specific phobia, such as a debilitating fear of heights that prevents him from using a step stool. Other times, anxiety is one aspect of obsessive-compulsive disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder.

People with anxiety often feel restless and have trouble sleeping. Their hearts may race, and they constantly feel on-edge. At times, these feelings can build to a full and frightening panic attack.

Another common feature of anxiety disorders is that without intervention they tend to get worse. With time, untreated anxiety often becomes more disruptive to work, family time, and leisure activities, which feeds right back into feelings of anxiousness.

However, psychotherapy can be an effective way to treat anxiety. A skilled psychotherapist or counselor can help people with anxiety take back control.

For many clients, the first step to treating anxiety is identifying the sources of stress that provoke a panicked response. A counselor can help patients understand why they are so fearful of these objects or situations.

It may take time and attention to determine why a person is so fearful, but this work can lead to a better understanding of the condition and lead to a greater sense of calm.

Counselors also help people with anxiety recognize when a panic attack is coming on and how to use proven techniques to cope more effectively in the midst of an attack.

People with anxiety may benefit from lifestyle changes to counter some of the physical effects of the disorder. A therapist can help a client who wants to quit smoking, drinking alcohol, or consuming caffeine, which can all exacerbate anxiety. Instead, people with anxiety can develop new habits that support better health, such as an exercise regimen, a sleep schedule, and a meditation practice.

An experienced counselor may have more specific recommendations related to the exact nature of a client’s anxiety. However, everyone with anxiety can benefit from speaking about the issue with a trusted professional.

It is natural to feel anxious about tests in school, big work presentations, and relationship problems. A person does not need to have an official diagnosis of anxiety to benefit from speaking to a professional counselor about ways to better manage stress and fear.

The caring staff at the MindSol Wellness Center is prepared to help whether you are primarily concerned about stress, fear, and anxiety, or if these issues are one aspect of PTSD, OCD, or other mental health issues.

Call our Sarasota, FL office today at (941) 256-3725 to schedule an appointment.